Former world No. 8 tennis star Diego Schwartzman has swapped the global tennis stage for the soccer fields of Buenos Aires’ Jewish clubs, returning to his childhood passion and community after retirement.
Diego Schwartzman, once among the top 10 tennis players in the world, has taken on a new sporting chapter—this time with a soccer ball at his feet.
After retiring from professional tennis earlier this year, the Argentine Jewish athlete has joined Barkojba, one of Buenos Aires’ most storied Jewish sports clubs. The club, named for Simon Bar Kochba, the legendary Jewish warrior who led a revolt against Rome in the 2nd century, holds deep personal meaning for Schwartzman, who grew up playing soccer there with his brothers.
Schwartzman’s journey has always been intertwined with Jewish sporting institutions. He launched his tennis career at Hacoaj (“strength” in Hebrew), another major Jewish club, which later named a soccer field in his honor. In 2020, Schwartzman’s tennis career peaked when he reached world No. 8 and the French Open semifinals, making him the shortest man to do so since fellow Jewish player Harold Solomon in 1980.
Now at Barkojba, Schwartzman plays midfield in the over-28 Jewish league, where his passion shines. Just two weeks ago, he stunned Hebraica by coming off the bench and scoring two late goals to seal a 4-2 victory. Even more special—he’s now sharing the pitch with his brother Mati for the first time.
“I play soccer with my best lifelong friends,” Schwartzman said. “I grew up with them, they supported me during my career, and now that I left tennis, I’m back playing soccer with them, just like in our youth. It’s a mix of joy, fun, friendship. It’s my identity.”
Barkojba, founded in 1937 as a hub for German Jewish immigrants, remains a pillar of Jewish community life in Argentina. Today, its soccer teams are thriving—the over-28 squad is currently undefeated in the FACCMA Jewish league after three games.
For Schwartzman, the shift from global arenas to local pitches is not a step down—it’s a return home. His legacy now spans not just tennis trophies, but also Jewish pride and community spirit.
